Jordan Watson
I’m at the kids’ athletics day. There’s big pressure for them to perform and I know all eyes are on me. There is a lot on the line here.
I’ve done all I can. I can’t run the race for them but I’ve taught them all my secrets.
I’ve trained them for hours and hours in the backyard but now this is the big stage. The big time. All I can do is watch and cheer. That’s it. It’s all up to them.
Three third places. They’re not happy, the crowd is furious and all fingers point at me. Before I can even catch my breath, the kids have found a new dad.
That’s how it would be if being a dad was like being a rugby coach. Holy crap, do they have it hard.
Some would say that the more difficult challenge lies before the new All Blacks’ coach selection committee. Pffft, that’s easy. Whoever they choose, it won’t affect them. Instead, cameras will point at and dissect this new coach straight away.
As soon as their name is read out, they’ll feel the full force of a New Zealand rugbymad front row. They’ll be fighting for the next four years, trying not to crumble under the immense pressure.
Us dads have it easy. Our job is easy. Compared to these international rugby coaches – life is easy.
Imagine if your end-of-year performance review at your accounting/building/bank/ farming job put you in third place. You’d be pretty darn proud and your job would be safe. Only you and your
An ABs coach gets more airtime, more interviews, more heat and more trolls than our best NZ celebrities combined.
around the world and am expected to deliver a comedic video every week.
If I dare skip a week ... people are generally kind. The people watching my sport of ‘Dad videos’ don’t have the same rage bubbling in their veins. They are not so quick to judge.
The All Blacks coaching boots are bloody massive boots to fill.
And whether it be the surfylooking blonde guy or Foster the older bloke – let’s give them a fair go, yeah? Restrain your Facebook-typing fingers, bite your cursing tongue and just be grateful the whole nation isn’t watching your every move.